Over the weekend of the 26th-28th of April 2013, refugee rights activists from all over the country are converging on Western Australia, to Perth and the Northam detention centre, as part of a nationwide weekend of action against mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers and refugees.

Both major parties are engaging in a race to the bottom in refugee policy, with the situation in Nauru and Manus Island becoming increasingly worse. The mainland detention centre network has also expanded. Northam, 1.5 hours outside of Perth, Western Australia, opened in June last year. Close to 600 asylum seekers have been detained there since. Northam is part of a group of detention centers isolated from the big population centers, meaning asylum seekers are kept ‘out of sight, out of mind’. We will converge on Northam to protest in solidarity with detainees and show the support that exists for asylum seekers. The convergence will feature three days of protests, discussions and forums, and visiting of detainees.

Refugee Action Coalition is organising a contingent from Sydney. Join us for a weekend of protest against the regime of mandatory detention and offshore processing. For an idea of what to expect you see see reports and photos from past convergences at Darwin here and Curtin here.

How do I get there? Activists from Sydney are flying to Perth on either Thursday the 25th or Friday the 26th of April. Buses will leave from Perth to Northam, which is a 1.5 hour drive.

Where will I stay? Some billeting in Perth will be available, and there will be camping in Northam.

How much will it cost? Flights start at $370 return with JetStar. Qantas and Virgin Blue also fly to Perth. Some subsidies are available, please get in touch if money is an obstacle. Most food will be provided. The cost of the covergence, which will cover buses and food and so on, will be $25 unwaged, $40 waged and $100 solidarity.

What do I need to bring? A pillow and sleeping bag and anything else you’ll need for the weekend. Tents and other camping equipment can be co-ordinated as a group.

Sponsor a seat!
If you would like to help fund refugee activists to get to the convergence, please consider making a solidarity donation to the Refugee Action Coalition. Any amount is helpful. Make a direct deposit to BSB: 062018, Account Number: 10118562, Account name: RAC, and send an email to refugeeactionsyd [at] gmail.com to let us know you’ve donated to help the convergence.

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Who are we?

Refugee Action Coalition Sydney (RAC) is a community activist organisation campaigning for the rights of refugees in Australia since 1999. We oppose mandatory detention and offshore processing, and campaign for refugees to be welcomed in Australia. We mount public rallies and organise information stalls and public forums on refugee issues. Our events are widely reported and our members are regularly quoted in the media.